However, Allardyce was an unpopular choice with fans from the outside and with the atmosphere at Goodison Park becoming toxic in the latter stages of the season as fan discontent grew the Toffees boss has been jettisoned with 12 months still remaining on his contract.

🔵 | Sam Allardyce has left his role as manager.

More: https://t.co/0kJowzOX0r pic.twitter.com/ErJpWEEN7T

— Everton (@Everton) May 16, 2018

Allardyce was not even major shareholder Farhad Moshiri's first choice but after failing to lure Marco Silva from Watford, an approach which contributed to the Portuguese's sacking when results took a nose dive after the Toffees were turned down, he took a pragmatic decision and went with chairman Bill Kenwright's recommendation.

Silva is now favourite to take over at Goodison after he was dismissed by Watford in January, with the club stating the catalyst for their decision was Everton's "unwarranted approach" which they felt contributed to a significant deterioration in both focus and results and jeopardised the Hornets' long-term future.

Denise Barrett-Baxendale, who it was announced on Tuesday will take over from departing chief executive Robert Elstone in a boardroom reshuffle, was charged with delivering the news.

She said: "On behalf of the chairman, board of directors and Mr Moshiri, I'd like to thank Sam for the job he has done at Everton over the last seven months.

"Sam was brought in at a challenging time last season to provide us with some stability and we are grateful to him for doing that.

"However, we have made the decision that, as part of our longer-term plan, we will be appointing a new manager this summer and will be commencing this process immediately.

"Again, we'd like to place on record our sincere thanks to Sam for his work with us over the last few months and wish him well for the future."

The departure of the manager will be the start of a summer of change at Everton, which has already begun at boardroom level.

In additional to Barrett-Baxendale's promotion Keith Harris has become deputy chairman in place of Jon Woods, who will remain on the board, with existing director Sasha Ryazantsev joining the executive leadership team with responsibility for financial and commercial performance.

Allardyce's backroom team of Sammy Lee - another unpopular appointment as a former Liverpool player - and Craig Shakespeare are expected to depart.

Director of football Steve Walsh's position is also under threat after last summer's disappointing £200million transfer spending with PSV Eindhoven's Marcel Brands reported to be arriving.

Press Association Sport understands should Everton ultimately appoint Silva as their new manager they fully anticipate having to pay Watford substantial compensation - even though the Portuguese was sacked by them back in January.

Everton's offer of £12million along with their initial approach in November was turned down. After the subsequent upheaval it is understood the Hornets took their case to the Premier League for mediation but were advised it was a contractual matter.

Money is not really an issue for Iranian billionaire Moshiri but what is more important is making the right decision for the club's longer-term plan.

Everton have already spent £10million paying off Roberto Martinez, the first manager sacked under Moshiri's ownership, and are still paying a large part of Koeman's £6million-a-year salary despite him now being Holland coach.

The club will now be liable for £6million to cover the final year of Allardyce's contract.

- PA